The wooden poles seen in this photo are used to support branches of this cherry tree.
This cherry tree and another one seen in the previous photo are located next to an artificial lake (seen in the background in the above photo) created by the Miboro Dam.
In 1960 this tree was rescued from the temple where it was located when that temple and its village were submerged by the construction of the Miboro Dam. (See a later photo of the Mirboro Dam.) The tree is over 40 tons so it was difficult to transplant. When it was first transplanted there was concern that it might not take root. Over many years the branches have grown and finally cherry blossoms appeared. Some Japanese believe that each petal on the tree represents a memory from someone who lived in the village where the tree was located before that village was submerged.
All trees are spiritually significant in Japanese culture and religion especially cherry trees. The cherry blossom is an important symbol in Japan of the transience of all things, especially life - the beauty of life and its eventual end. The transient nature of life historically has been part of the Buddhist cultural tradition in Japan. The life cycle of the cherry blossom is an example and metaphor of this view with its short-lived beautiful blossom. Cherry blossoms also symbolize clouds because a given tree will produce blooms all at once as a canopy. Many Japanese track when the cherry blossoms will appear by closely following weather forecasts - so they can plan viewing get-togethers, parties and the like or visits to shrines and temples. Tributes to the cherry blossom commonly are seen in Japanese art, music and many consumer items, such as clothing and kitchenware.
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